A food poisoning outbreak linked to sprouts has sickened nearly two dozen people across multiple states, according to federal health officials.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified the source behind the spread as Evergreen Fresh Sprouts-branded broccoli sprouts, according to an announcement on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Sprouts are a common fixture on recall lists because they are generally eaten raw, and the conditions under which they are grown are ideal for harmful bacterial growth.
The CDC has identified 22 sick people in four states as of Sept. 9, though the agency said the actual number is likely higher.
Which sprouts are recalled?
The recalled sprouts were sold to food co-ops, restaurants and food service customers in Idaho, Montana and Washington state;
however, the CDC warns of possible distribution in additional states.
- Evergreen Fresh Sprouts brand broccoli sprouts; sold in plastic bags or clamshell containers; expiration dates 9/7, 9/9, 9/11, 9/14, and 9/16.
Where people got sick
As of Sept. 9, the CDC recorded 22 cases of salmonella linked to the recalled sprouts across four states. The true number of sick people is likely much higher than the number reported, per the CDC, as many people recover without seeing a doctor.
Likewise, recent illnesses may not be reported because it can take three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
What to do with recalled sprouts
If you have the recalled broccoli sprouts in your home, throw them out or return them to the place of purchase.
Anyone who purchased or received the affected sprouts should carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers they touched. If you believe you may have been exposed to or sickened by the sprouts, contact your health care provider immediately.
Symptoms of salmonella poisoning
Symptoms of salmonella poisoning usually start six hours to six days after ingesting the bacteria. The most common symptoms are diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, according to the CDC.
While most healthy people can recover in four to seven days without treatment, some vulnerable people, such as children under 5, adults 65 and older, and those with weakened immune systems, may experience more severe illness that requires medical treatment or hospitalization.
If you experience any of these more serious symptoms, the CDC advises contacting your health care professional:
- Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
- Diarrhea for more than three days that is not improving
- Bloody diarrhea
- Vomiting to the point that you cannot keep liquids down
- Signs of dehydration, such as not urinating much, dry mouth and throat and feeling dizzy when standing up
Separate sprout outbreak under investigation
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and CDC are also tracking a separate salmonella and E. coli outbreak tied to alfalfa and radish sprouts recalled in late August. The products, grown by Everything Sprouts, were linked to 55 illnesses across 15 states as of Sept. 1.
Sprouts are one of the few foods the FDA regularly issues blanket advisories against eating, especially for older adults, children, pregnant people and those with compromised immune systems.
"Sprouts are a raw agricultural product that's grown outside, harvested and put into 50-pound bags, so if the product gets contaminated out where it's grown and you put it in a warm, wet environment to sprout it, that's a perfect place for bacterial growth," food safety attorney Bill Marler previously told USA TODAY.
This is why some of the largest foodborne illness outbreaks ever, including the most deadly, have been linked to sprouts. It's also why sprouts are one of the only foods other than raw milk that the FDA and CDC consistently warn people not to consume.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Salmonella outbreak linked to these recalled greens. See product
